How to Devise an Effective Digital Investigative Strategy, 29 April 2027
Our workshop provides investigators and analysts with a structured, practical approach to developing, documenting and reviewing a digital investigative strategy, ensuring that relevant opportunities are identified, prioritised and aligned with the wider investigative objectives.
It will explain the purpose of a digital investigative strategy and its relationship with the Senior Investigating Officer's overall investigative strategy.
We will also identify relevant digital evidence sources and investigative opportunities and prioritise enquiries based on evidential value, urgency, proportionality and risk of data loss.
The workshop will also recognise legal, technical, resource and forensic considerations.
At the end of the workshop delegates will be able to produce an initial digital strategy and identify when it requires review or revision.
Outline of the day
The role of the digital strategy
We will explain the relationship between the SIO, DMI, Digital Forensic Unit, intelligence analysts and other specialist resources.
We will also consider how the strategy should support the investigation's objectives, identify reasonable lines of enquiry and document decisions, including decisions not to pursue particular opportunities.
Identifying digital investigative opportunities
The workshop will explore potential sources of digital evidence, including:
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Smartphones, computers, removable storage and digital media
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Cloud accounts, backups and online services
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Communications data, subscriber records, IP addresses and RF opportunities
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Wi-Fi routers, DHCP records, connected devices and network logs
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CCTV, ANPR, vehicle infotainment and telematics systems
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Social media, OSINT and online identities
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Gaming platforms, IoT devices, wearables and smart home technology
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Financial records, digital payments and cryptocurrency activity.
The workshop will emphasise the importance of early preservation and identifying data that may be overwritten, deleted or otherwise become unavailable.
Building a defensible strategy
Introduce a structured decision-making process:
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Define the investigative objectives
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What are we trying to prove, disprove or establish?
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Identify digital opportunities
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Assess urgency, risk and evidential value
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Consider legal authority and proportionality
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Prioritise and allocate tasks
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Record decisions and review results
Strategy review and communication
We will discuss how a digital strategy evolves as new evidence emerges, how to communicate priorities to the SIO, how to document decisions and how to ensure the strategy remains realistic, proportionate and aligned with the investigation.
Key lessons
We will provide a practical checklist that delegates can use when developing their first digital strategy.
Our expert
The workshop will be delivered by Neil Greenough, one of the UK’s most experienced digital investigators having served 30 years in Lancashire Constabulary.
He was one of the first digital media investigators and provided digital advice on hundreds of major crime investigations as well as presenting his best practice case studies at numerous national conferences and CPD events.
He has also worked in industry delivering digital training courses. He now runs his own digital training company.
• Held online Via Teams
• Certificates of CPD available
HOW TO BOOK
Cost: £215 + VAT (GBP) per delegate per workshop (LEA and Government Agency rate). £275 + VAT (Industry rate), per delegate
Group bookings: We offer various discounts for group bookings depending on numbers, please contact us for details.
Booking: Please send the delegates name(s), email address(es) and purchase order (made out to The Investigator) to booking@the-investigator.co.uk or telephone +44(0)844 660 8707 for further information.
Payment can be made by PayPal/debit/credit card. The meeting link will be sent out 7 days before the event.